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HAGLTP Chapter 42

In the end, Xiao Lu could not resist the enthusiasm of Wei Di and his disciple, and entered the Snow Wheel Sect with them.

They called it a tour first, then a decision later.

The buildings inside the Snow Wheel Sect were made of white stone, appearing ancient yet exquisite. Against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and the vast snowy mountains, it exuded an ethereal aura.

However, from time to time, groups of ducks waddled through the delicate corridors, pulling this scene back from the realm of immortals to the human world.

At this moment, Xiao Lu realized that the valley was home to more than just this seemingly unreliable master and disciple.

The girl running ahead, carrying a wild boar, was named Wei Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao was an abandoned baby that Wei Di had found while fishing in an underground river. After drifting in the dark waters for a long time, she miraculously survived, possessing a naturally strong physique that made it easy for her to break rocks and open mountains with her bare hands.

A man dressed in white, with eyes wrapped in white silk, leisurely playing the guqin, was named Huo Yin.

He was once a renowned musician in the martial world, mastering the art of musical attacks to an extraordinary level.

Unfortunately, he was envied by a close brother, who secretly plotted against him. After having his eyes gouged out and his hands crippled, he fell into the icy river, where he was rescued by Wei Di, who was washing his feet at the time, and brought back to the valley for treatment. Now his hands had healed, but he could never regain his lost eyes.

There was also a man dressed very lightly, raising concerns about whether he would freeze, named Ling Deng. Adorned with exquisite silver ornaments, he played with snakes and poisonous insects, appearing both righteous and wicked.

He was originally the best shaman doctor of the Heili tribe, who chose to wander alone out of curiosity about the martial world. However, he inadvertently got caught up in the internal strife of a major sect and was forced to a dead end.

Ling Deng was decisive; seeing no way to escape, he leaped off a cliff and drifted down the underground river to the territory of the Snow Wheel Sect, where he was rescued by Wei Di while he was fishing by the river, just as he was about to take his last breath.

“Young Master Bo, look ahead, that’s the underground river mouth where I pick up… people,” Wei Di pointed to an inconspicuous black hole ahead.

“You often find people there?”

“I can find them, but not many can breathe,” Wei Di replied honestly.

Xiao Lu looked beside the cave entrance and indeed found several graves, varying in size, but almost all the tombstones were blank.

Wei Di said, “This underground river connects to the water veins beneath the Great Snow Mountain. The route is complex, and once you fall in, it’s not easy to survive to the mouth of the cave; most end up as nameless corpses. However, those who come in through this route can forget about going back the same way for the rest of their lives.”

“My disciple came in this way too.”

“And you?” Xiao Lu asked curiously.

“As for me… naturally, I am no exception.” Wei Di’s gaze turned towards the snowy mountains.

“Then who saved you?”

“The old ancestor of the valley, but he has long since disappeared.”

“What if I want to leave?”

“Take the Path of Inquiry. If you pass the trials of the Path of Inquiry, this route will be unobstructed for you. With the Snow Wheel Order in hand, if you want to take someone out, that is also possible.”

At this moment, it was just the two of them, as Mo Xue had been pulled aside by Lin Fan Si.

Xiao Lu asked Wei Di, “Did you call me over alone to tell me something?”

Wei Di smiled, “Young Master Bo truly understands my meaning.”

“You must have noticed that our Snow Wheel Sect is somewhat different from ordinary sects after walking the Path of Inquiry, right?”

“Indeed,” Xiao Lu nodded.

Wei Di continued, “In fact, the old ancestor once told me a rumor that our Snow Wheel Sect is a legacy left by an immortal.”

Xiao Lu cooperatively revealed a curious expression.

Wei Di continued, “This is not something we deliberately embellish.”

“According to legend, thousands of years ago, the founder was in solitary cultivation deep in the snowy mountains of the desert. Occasionally, he would help lost travelers and local tribes in distress, thus leaving behind many legends of encountering an immortal in the snowy mountains, where all ailments would vanish overnight.”

“However, these divine signs have now become mere rumors. The founder passed away many years ago, and many of the medicines and treatments left in his notes are unheard of. I have tried to replicate them, but I simply cannot.”

“But our sect’s medical skills have unique advantages, and there are several miraculous items in the valley that are not ordinary. The Snow Wheel Order you hold is one that scattered out in the early years.”

At this point, Xiao Lu was not surprised.

That founder must have been a cultivator who escaped the severance of spiritual energy, discovering that some residual spiritual energy remained in the Great Snow Mountain, thus cultivating here and establishing a sect.

Unfortunately, in the end, he still could not escape the fate predetermined by heaven.

Wei Di’s tone suddenly shifted: “In fact, the founder’s partner also left behind a sword manual called ‘Zhu Jue,’ with each move and technique being extraordinarily profound, far surpassing ordinary martial arts.”

This immediately piqued Xiao Lu’s interest.

But the sly Wei Di stopped there: “That sword manual can only be reviewed by the sect leader. I know little about it, and what I do know is from my junior brother.”

The implication was clear: if you want to see the sword manual, come and be our sect leader.

Xiao Lu voiced his doubts for the first time: “We have never met, and you know nothing of my background or character. Are you not afraid of inviting a wolf into the house by so generously offering me the position of sect leader?”

Wei Di clasped his hands behind his back, his white beard flowing, his plain clothes billowing in the wind.

“‘If I do not return, those who can pass the Path of Inquiry are worthy of trust,’ this was the last thing my junior brother said to me.”

“I trust him, and I believe in the Path of Inquiry left by the founder. I wonder if this answer satisfies Young Master Bo?”

In the twenty-third year of the Xiangde era, spring.

After years without a leader, the Snow Wheel Sect finally welcomed its new sect leader.

“Could you say that again?” Xiao Lu looked at his disciple in disbelief.

“Ahem.” Mo Xue cleared his throat, picking up the account book in his hand, “Currently, the sect has only one hundred and two taels of silver left.”

Not one hundred thousand, nor one million, but a pitiful one hundred and two.

A hidden sect founded by cultivators, harboring countless secrets, yet it had no money.

It was clear they had to raise their own ducks, and with no way out, what use was the silver??

This silver was collected by Wei Di over the years from picking up corpses, varying in age and looking exceptionally shabby.

“This is too poor…”

Indeed, what fell from the sky for cannon fodder was not a pie.

Xiao Lu clutched his heart in pain, even starting to miss his big spender, Shen Yunhe.

A day without seeing him felt like three autumns apart, oh young hero!

The new sect leader immediately issued an order—make money!

Five years later.

If one were to say which force in the martial world had the most buzz in recent years, it would be the newly emerged Snow Wheel Sect.

This was a new sect that suddenly appeared in the northwestern desert.

In just five years, countless medical clinics bearing the name of the Snow Wheel Sect quietly opened across the martial world. Those doctors looked young, yet their medical skills were exceptional, able to cure both major and minor ailments with ease.

Even the common injuries and pains often experienced by martial artists could be treated by them.

Their prices were reasonable, and their attitudes friendly, unlike the Liuli Medicine King Valley, where one had to queue based on seniority and background, often waiting behind elite members of various sects, leaving no chance for nameless individuals.

If someone thought they could use their martial prowess to cause trouble, these young doctors were all skilled in martial arts themselves. They could throw troublemakers out without needing help from bystanders, and they would keep a record, ensuring that all clinics under the Snow Wheel Sect would never accept them again.

Among them, the most legendary was the mysterious Sect Leader Bo.

It was said that this sect leader was extraordinarily handsome, and his medical skills were unparalleled.

There was once a top swordsman in the martial world whose meridians were destroyed by enemies. After consulting several renowned doctors to no avail, he came to the Snow Wheel Sect with his last hope, and thereafter vanished without a trace.

People speculated that he must have died in the northwestern desert, but six months later, he was seen publicly beheading his enemies, his swordsmanship sharper than ever.

When asked about his experience in the Snow Wheel Sect, he only said that he was personally saved by the sect leader, remaining tight-lipped about the treatment process, even to his closest friends.

In no time, people in the martial world flocked to this mysterious sect leader.

However, Sect Leader Bo was not someone who treated anyone who came knocking.

For different people, he would demand different rewards; sometimes it was exorbitant gold and silver, sometimes rare treasures, and at times he would even require people to serve him directly, but on certain occasions, he would charge nothing at all.

As for those he found displeasing, Sect Leader Bo would simply refuse them entry.

There was once an evil sect master who practiced martial arts using the blood of young girls, named Xue Sha, who sought medical help but was turned away. Her lover, believing himself to be highly skilled, attempted to forcibly take the sect leader away to treat her.

Sect Leader Bo showed no mercy, directly striking them down together, and generously provided a burial shroud from the Snow Wheel Sect, ceremoniously tossing it into the desert.

Once the news spread, the martial world understood who the fierce style of the Snow Wheel Sect was learned from.

In no time, incidents of medical trouble in the martial world decreased.

In a small town on the northwestern border.

This was originally a barren little oasis, but it became increasingly prosperous after the Snow Wheel Sect established its base here.

Xiao Lu and Mo Xue walked side by side.

Five years had passed, and Mo Xue had grown from a youthful boy into a striking young man.

Through Xiao Lu’s treatment and the special medicinal conditioning from the Snow Wheel Sect, his innate deficiencies and meridian issues had completely healed.

The boy’s once delicate features had fully matured, exuding a striking charm with a hint of sharpness, yet always carrying a trace of a smile, making anyone who saw him want to ask: “Young Master, are you still looking for a partner?”

Xiao Lu taught him the sword manual ‘Zhu Jue’ left by the founder’s partner. After starting to learn swordsmanship, Mo Xue’s true talent in martial arts began to shine, making rapid progress.

In just five years, Mo Xue had already risen to the ranks of top experts in the martial world, challenging many renowned masters in the northwest with just a sword, leaving countless seniors in awe of the younger generation.

Xiao Lu, however, had not changed much.

He still wore red clothes and had black hair, looking like a figure from a painting, but now he carried an aura of authority that made him the center of attention wherever he went.

Over the years, the two had grown accustomed to the gazes of the crowd, walking forward without glancing sideways.

“Big Brother, I want to ask, who were the two people that just passed by?”

In a tavern, a traveler wearing a bamboo hat inquired of a scar-faced man beside him.

“Brother, are you new to the northwest?” the scar-faced man replied.

“How did you know that?”

“Anyone who has stayed here for a while knows those two. The one in white is named Mo Xue, the first swordsman of the Snow Wheel Sect. You could even say he is the number one swordsman in the northwest now; he just defeated the former number one swordsman, and soon this title will spread.”

“His name is Mo Xue?!” the traveler exclaimed in surprise.

“Do you know him?”

“N-no, I don’t know him…”

The scar-faced man glanced at his strange demeanor and continued, “The one in red is Sect Leader Bo of the Snow Wheel Sect. Although he seems quite mysterious to people in the martial world, he actually comes out often and doesn’t like to put on airs.”

“Is he really the sect leader? He looks too young.”

“Don’t be fooled by his delicate appearance; I advise you, if you want to get by in the northwest, don’t provoke him. Sect Leader Bo is very generous; anyone he personally kills gets a burial shroud for free.”

“However, most of the time, those who are blind don’t even get to see Sect Leader Bo; Young Master Mo has already done the work for them.”

“Just those two, are they really that impressive?” the traveler murmured softly.

“Hey, don’t underestimate them. If you really want to go and seek death, remember to find a place without people,” the scar-faced man said, not wanting to chat further with this oblivious fellow, and began to drink from a large bowl.

The traveler’s gaze followed the red figure, and as the person was about to walk out of sight, he hurriedly put down his silver to settle the bill and chased after them.

The scar-faced man shook his head, wondering how this reckless fool had managed to survive in the martial world until today.

Today, the town was bustling with people. The traveler was hindered in his progress and saw the red figure already entering the gates of the Snow Wheel Sect’s base, so he could only shout from behind.

“Wait, hold on!”

“I have something important to tell you!”

The guarding disciples stopped the newcomer: “This is the Snow Wheel Sect’s base, no idle people allowed.”

The traveler tried to wave his hand to push past: “Don’t stop me! Bo Lu! Bo Lu—”

“Master, someone is here looking for you again,” Mo Xue said softly.

Xiao Lu took a sugar cube from Mo Xue’s hand and popped it into his mouth: “The voice sounds a bit familiar, but I can’t recall who it is.”

“Go take a look. If they cause trouble, just throw them out. For unimportant illnesses, hand them over to Ling Deng; didn’t he say he was free recently?”

Mo Xue replied, “Ling Deng is free because he keeps using insects and snakes to treat people, and with his methods of burning and burying, many patients have been frightened into having nightmares, leading to a bad reputation.”

“Just scare them a bit; it will help them not be easily startled to death in the future.” Xiao Lu waved his hand, signaling his disciple to make his own decision.

Outside the gate, Jiang Qin was furious at the guards blocking his way.

Recalling the past, whenever he and Shen Yunhe came to find Bo Lu, it was always the other party who personally came out to greet them. This was the first time he had been stopped at the gate.

In these five years, Bo Lu had been acting strangely. First, he withdrew from the Liuli Medicine King Valley, and then he had been missing for several years, making it impossible for them to find him when they were injured or poisoned.

Recently, Shen Yunhe had been afflicted by a curse poison, and they had searched the martial world for renowned doctors to no avail. They couldn’t get an appointment at the Liuli Medicine King Valley, so they decided to come to the northwest after hearing about the sect leader of the Snow Wheel Sect.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving near the Snow Wheel Sect, they discovered that the famous Sect Leader Bo was actually Bo Lu.

How could someone with Bo Lu’s mediocre skills sit in the position of sect leader? It was simply unbelievable that he could single-handedly kill Xue Sha and her lover.

And Mo Xue, who looked so sickly, could actually practice swordsmanship? This rumor was too absurd.

But now was not the time to think about these things.

Shen Yunhe had been tormented by the curse poison for several months, and Jiang Qin felt heartbroken every day seeing his brother Yun’s condition. It was more important to have Bo Lu treat him quickly.

However, the guarding disciples were as unyielding as stone, refusing to let him in no matter what he said.

“Let me through! I have important information about Shen Yunhe to tell Bo Lu. You tell him to come out and see me.” Jiang Qin could only invoke Shen Yunhe’s name, hoping Bo Lu would be more sensible.

Unfortunately, the gatekeepers were unaware of the past between the three, and Xiao Lu had not ordered them to give any special treatment to Shen Yunhe and his companions. They could only handle matters according to protocol: “If you wish to see the sect leader, please register first. Your application will be submitted to the internal affairs of the sect, and if deemed appropriate, the sect leader will meet you.”

If it were not for this, there could be hundreds of people seeking the sect leader in a day, with all sorts of ailments, from headaches and fevers to poor appetites and weak legs.

“You! This is an urgent matter, a matter of life and death!” Jiang Qin said angrily.

At this moment, a bystander could no longer hold back: “I say, are you done yet? You come in here shouting and trying to cut in line, as if your situation is the only urgent one? Go to the back of the line!”

“Exactly, and you think you can just see the sect leader? Is he a cabbage that you can just see whenever you want?” a family member of a patient chimed in.

Jiang Qin turned around to see a long line at the entrance of the Snow Wheel Sect: some were pale and gasping for breath, some were convulsing from madness, and some looked so green that they seemed ready to rise from the dead at any moment… each one appeared to be on the brink of death.

Compared to them, Shen Yunhe was practically lively.

Seeing that he couldn’t outdo them in terms of misery, Jiang Qin said to the guarding disciples, “I am the young master of the Yin Qin Mountain Villa. I can pay, whatever amount you ask!”

“Money? What does money matter?” the crowd scoffed.

One person pointed at a plump man in the crowd who looked pale: “See that? The richest man in the world, reduced to this state by some unknown filial son, and he’s still waiting in line.”

The richest man in the world had already started rolling his eyes, while a small wife beside him was crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom.

Jiang Qin: “…”

He never expected that even throwing money would not work.

He reached for his sword, intending to force his way in.

As long as he saw Bo Lu, given Bo Lu’s deep feelings for Shen Yunhe, he would surely treat him upon hearing the current situation, and perhaps even punish those blind guards.

But as his hand reached the hilt, he found that the sword and sheath seemed to be welded together, unable to move at all.

Jiang Qin looked down and saw a long yet powerful hand pressing down on his sword hilt, appearing to exert no effort, yet preventing him from pulling it out even an inch.

Following the hand, Jiang Qin saw a face of unparalleled beauty, with features that carried a hint of familiarity.

When did he get so close?!

Jiang Qin tried to channel his energy, but found his strength was like that of a child playing, leaving him horrified.

When he had heard the rumors before, he had not taken them seriously, but now that Mo Xue was truly standing before him, he felt an overwhelming pressure even before any action was taken.

The number one swordsman in the northwest was not just a title.

Mo Xue, dressed in the white robes of the Snow Wheel Sect, looked down at him from a height advantage, his face carrying a hint of a smile, though the smile did not reach his eyes:

“If Young Master Jiang wishes to draw his sword in my Snow Wheel Sect, then you are no longer a guest.”

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